Scam of the Week: Extortion With a Twist

The bad guys have hit a new low – they are using extortion to take advantage of you. Extortion is a serious internet crime that can lead to devastating consequences for victims. The latest twist on extortion occurs when someone threatens to distribute compromising content of yours if you do not satisfy their demands, which are usually crude and inappropriate.

According to the FBI, here are some things you can do to avoid becoming a victim of extortion:

Never send compromising images of yourself to anyone, no matter who they are — or who they say they are.

Don’t open attachments from people you don’t know, and be wary of opening attachments even from those you do know.

Turn off and/or cover any web cameras when you are not using them.

Remember, if you receive an email that claims to have compromising video of you viewing sensitive material, do not answer or send money. Instead, delete the email. Don’t fall victim to the bad guys!